The REAL Political Bottom Line: It's All About White, Male Privilege

The Nixon Cabinet: What's wrong with this picture? It would never occur to them.

I've spent a considerable amount of time trying to sort through the difference between outright activist racism (white power, anyone?), institutional racism (I'm not racist!), and implicit racism (like I said, I'm not racist!). Eventually, I came to the conclusion that it's all about privilege and the maintenance of privilege. I'm white, you're black, game over. I win. (Even if you didn't know you we're in the game...).

Then I looked at patriarchy versus, yep, feminism, and, again, it's about privilege. I'm male, you're female, game over. I win.

Then I looked at gays versus straights, and, okay, you get it.

What I got was the Republican Party, as currently constituted, is a white, male, Christian privilege maintenance machine.

Today's Republican leadership (Cantor's out, but). Since Nixon, any change?

See any change, any what progressives might call progress? Nope.

Clearly, the Democrats are only marginally better, but they are better. What's more, their entire future depends on their attempt to embrace blacks, Asians, Latinos, women, gays, Native Americans, the poors, and whatever marginalized population isn't adhered to white, male privilege. (The Christian thing works for white males because it justifies paternal authority and helps bring wives aboard the white, male train.)

Some white, male Democrats might also long for the 1950s and 60s because they ran things. But they know it's not gonna be Daddy's world forever, so they know how their bread's gonna get buttered before too long.

Final flash: It just so happens that what's good for our diverse communities is also good for the country.

So, c'mon, get on board the love train!

Republicans need not apply.